CHALLENGE:
SurroundArt served as the full-service design, fabrication, and graphics company for the exhibition, Fabergé: Treasures from the Kremlin, building all the custom cases and mounts, providing the graphics output, and installing the entire show at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art in Las Vegas. SurroundArt was awarded the contract by Pace Wildenstein's exhibit division, Paper Ball, an independent producer and organizer of exhibitions, and accomplished this task in 62 days, from kick-off meeting to opening reception.

SCOPE OF WORK:
SurroundArt created a museum environment that complemented the 200 Fabergé items on display from the Kremlin. Our design staff made several site visits to photograph and measure the space, then created a dynamic design that fully utilized the exhibition space. Our exhibition designers incorporated fiber optic lighting into the design of the 15 maple cases and chose a color scheme that highlighted the superior quality and craftsmanship of the jewelry and eggs represented in the collection. Our team was also responsible for designing large vignettes that contained integrated lighting systems. The designed lighting components featured both standard low voltage halogen systems and fiber optic lighting systems.

During the design phase, SurroundArt had testing done on several different fabric types to determine which material was aesthetically pleasing and conservationally safe. This testing included several commercially available, conservation-approved fabrics that ultimately failed the Oddy testing SurroundArt commissioned for this project

SurroundArt's graphics department was responsible for coordinating the production and installation of all the graphic elements, including a 12-foot by 30-foot photomural of the Alexander Palace, case and wall labels, photomurals, photo panels, and laser-cut raised letters.

Upon completion of the fabrication portion of the exhibit, SurroundArt shipped all of the exhibit components cross-country to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art in Las Vegas, Nevada. Installation took place over a two-week period during which we were responsible for installing all of the artifacts into object specific brackets, fabricated by SurroundArt. Final adjustment to all case lighting was completed before final sealing of the cases. Particular care was paid to maintain light levels as specified by the Kremlin.

SurroundArt completed the job on schedule and within budget.